Em 1972, Shirley Chisholm se apresenta como candidata à presidência dos EUA pelo Partido Democrata, depois de se tornar a primeira congressista negra do país.

A criminal defense attorney, unhappy in her marriage, finds herself seduced by her mysterious new client, an artist accused of murdering his girlfriend.

Ada, a reserved young woman with a passion for entomology, travels north to meet her girlfriend's family, but struggles to find common ground.